What I Wish I Knew When Choosing My First BJJ Gi

That First Gi

 

When you first start jiu-jitsu, you’re faced with too many choices.
Dozens of brands, endless designs, wide price ranges.

At the time, we had no idea what made a “good” gi.
So we chose what looked good — or what was cheap.

A few months later, the truth started to show.
The sleeves shrank.
The fabric stiffened.
And that familiar odor set in.

That’s when we began asking ourselves:
What really makes a gi last?

 

 

What to Check Before You Buy

 

The most common beginner mistake is choosing a gi based on information alone — brand names, trends, or price tags.

What actually matters is how you train.

Someone who trains once or twice a week needs something very different from someone who trains nearly every day.

• Size
Even with the same “A1” label, each brand fits differently.
You can’t rely on tags alone — fit is personal.

• Quantity
For light training, one gi can work.
For daily training, you’ll need at least two.

• Price
What matters isn’t the logo, but how the fabric is woven, how the seams are stitched, and how long it will endure.

Lightness and looks fade quickly.
What stays is how long the gi keeps showing up with you.

 

 

Price vs. Quality — What You’re Really Paying For

 

Gi prices range widely — from ¥10,000 to well over ¥40,000.
Yet expensive doesn’t always mean durable.

Low-priced gis are light but short-lived.
Mid-range gis balance comfort and durability — but still face the limits of cotton.
High-end gis often include brand and design costs more than material strength.

Most gis, regardless of price, are still made from cotton.

That’s why we asked a different question:
If the material doesn’t change, what does the price really mean?

That question led us to hemp.

 

Cotton shrinks, traps odor, and weakens with each wash — not because of poor care, but because of how the material behaves.
We explained this in detail in a previous article:
→ Why Cotton Gis Naturally Wear Out Over Time

 

 

Hemp — Strength You Only Understand Through Use

 

You hear that hemp is tough, odor-resistant, and long-lasting.
But until you wear it, you don’t really understand.

At first, it feels slightly coarse.
With each wash, it softens and adapts to your movement.

It resists yellowing and odor.
And it doesn’t thin or tear easily.

What mattered to us wasn’t lightness or looks —
only whether it could endure daily repetition.

 

 

Care — A Gi That Doesn’t Ask for Special Treatment

 

A gi must survive sweat, friction, and constant washing.
If a fabric needs delicate care, it doesn’t belong on the mats.

Hemp doesn’t ask for special treatment.
It resists tearing and naturally blocks odor.

Not a luxury that needs attention —
but a material that endures carelessness.

 

 

Sustainability — Strength That’s Honest

 

Hemp grows with minimal water and without heavy chemicals.
And because it lasts, fewer gis are thrown away.

We didn’t choose hemp because it was eco-friendly.
We chose it because it endured daily training.

Durability is the most honest form of sustainability.

 

 

In the End — A Gi That Lasts

 

What matters isn’t how a gi looks when it’s new,
but how it changes over time.

Many practitioners replace their gis every year or two.
But something that joins you in daily training shouldn’t be disposable.

A hemp gi isn’t just strong.
It’s a tool shaped by time and repetition.

That’s why we make gis the way we do —
and that’s the standard we hope you’ll carry with you too.